Dish wins Hopper legal battle – again

By Chris Forrester

July 15, 2014

Charlie Ergen’s Dish DBS system has secured an affirmation from the US Court of Appeal that its ‘Hopper’ and ‘Dish Anywhere’ place-shifting products were legal. The verdict, from the 9th Circuit Court, rejected Fox Broadcasting’s efforts to link the Hopper concept with that of Aereo, which recently found itself banned by the courts.

R. Stanton Dodge, Dish EVP/ general counsel, in a statement said: “Today’s decision is the fifth in a string of victories for consumers related to our Hopper Whole-Home DVR platform. Dish is pleased that the Court has sided again with consumer choice and control by rejecting Fox’s efforts to deny our customers access to the Dish Anywhere and Hopper Transfers features. Last year, the Ninth Circuit also rejected Fox’s attempt to block customers from using the AutoHop and PrimeTime Anytime features. We will continue to vigorously defend consumers’ right to choice and control over their viewing experience.”

Dish’s share price, already at a high point, rose another 0.5 per cent to $66.18 on the verdict.